[Little Ash's Affection Level has reached 75. Advanced data and corresponding information have been updated.]

[Current Life Path: Little Ash]

[Preferences: Sister Little White, dried fish snacks, mocking and despising any creature it deems inferior to gain a sense of achievement]

[Dislikes: Any being that bullies Little White]

[Current Affection: 75 (It trusts you. This trust grants you the privilege to interact with it.)]

[Current Status: Learning (Your presence exposes it to countless new things. It’s actively absorbing everything you possess.)]

[Tips for this character: Perhaps praising it often will boost affection faster.]

Little Ash’s profile had updated significantly. Some details Chen Mo had previously skimmed over now caught his attention.

The updates resembled Luo Xianxue’s earlier data—basic insights and a status bar hinting at its thoughts and actions.

But that wasn’t what stunned Chen Mo most. The heavyweight revelation came next: the phrase "corresponding information" had updated.

[Life-Bound Character: Little White (Simulation Locked)]

[Preferences: Sister Little Ash, daydreaming, head pats]

[Dislikes: None]

[Tips: It seems aware of your existence. Strive to capture its attention further.]

[......]

[Life Path to Unlock: Yun Song]

[Likes: Unknown]

[Dislikes: Family, herself]

[Tips: Unknown]

[Exclusive Task: Raise this character’s affection toward the host to 80 (Reward: Unlock simulation rights for this life path).]

Chen Mo followed Yun Song from a distance, Little White in tow. She walked along a narrow path while he leaped across rooftops and walls.

He was amazed by the system’s updates. Little White’s data had partially unlocked, and Yun Song was now listed as a simulative character!

Was this because Little Ash’s affection hit 75? Had the data for both the human and the cat linked to it refreshed?

Just this information alone told Chen Mo that Luo Xianxue’s first simulation was truly the system’s beginner mode. Little Ash was a step up. Yun Song? This was the real challenge.

And it clearly wouldn’t be solved anytime soon.

First, he needed her trust—affection high enough to earn it.

Chen Mo shifted focus from the system. He and Little White trailed Yun Song not to school, but to a small breakfast stall. It seemed a mandatory stop on the way to class, with a few early students passing by.

Curious, Chen Mo watched Yun Song enter. She set down her tiny backpack, tied an apron over her uniform, and smoothly assisted the auntie running the stall.

Too far to hear their chatter, Chen Mo noted Yun Song’s face remained utterly expressionless the whole time.

From 6 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., she worked. Only then did she remove the apron, hastily eat breakfast, grab her bag, and sprint toward school.

Chen Mo followed. Despite his speed, he nearly lost her—she was only 1.6 meters tall, yet ran like the wind.

The school’s warning bell rang just as Yun Song barely made it through the gates, heading for the second teaching building.

Chen Mo observed it all but didn’t enter. The moment he and Little White appeared, the guards had already locked onto them. Sneaking in later was an option.

The school wasn’t impressive—just three plain cement buildings, no tiles or decorations. The neighborhood looked equally run-down. Most houses were two to three stories high, bare cement structures. Occasionally, Chen Mo spotted old mud-and-tile homes.

This area hadn’t developed well. Five-story buildings were rare.

This mission would be tough. With only eight hours left, Yun Song wouldn’t be out of class by 4 p.m. Gaining her trust and a home base today seemed impossible.

Would she even leave at lunch? He’d have to infiltrate the school.

Chen Mo retreated to the breakfast stall with Little White. He dropped his usual aloof cat persona.

Instead, he blinked big, innocent eyes and let out pitiful, high-pitched mews.

His gaze fixed hungrily on the steaming baozi in the bamboo baskets.

A rare customer—a girl in a school uniform—lit up at the sight of them.

“Auntie Han, are these your cats? They’re so cute!” she said, leisurely eating her rice noodles.

Auntie Han wiped a table, puzzled. “I don’t own cats. Shouldn’t you be in class? The bell’s rung.”

“Eh, teachers only care about top students. My absence won’t matter,” the girl waved off. She crouched before Chen Mo and Little White, offering a half-eaten baozi. “Want some, kitty?”

Chen Mo had come here because he was starving.

But you’re offering me your leftovers?

Before he could react, Little Ash’s voice echoed in his head: “Don’t eat it!”

“As a noble cat, this human dares to give me her scraps? An insult!” Little Ash’s tone dripped with disdain. Had Chen Mo not felt his own hunger and the genuine pull of the aroma, he’d have believed Little Ash truly despised the baozi.

Still, he meowed in agreement: “Exactly! Cats don’t accept handouts!”

“Wise words,” Little Ash replied. “Now go fetch me a fresh baozi from that steamer. I’m famished.”

So food I steal isn’t a handout?

Chen Mo didn’t argue. He blocked Little White from lunging forward and kept mewing softly at the steamer.

The girl’s eyes widened. “Wow, these cats are amazing! Auntie Han, two more baozi please!”

“Can you eat that much?” Auntie Han approached.

The girl grinned. “For them! They’re adorable. Wonder whose cats they are.”

“Strays, probably,” Auntie Han glanced briefly at Chen Mo and Little White before turning away. She handed over two meat-filled baozi, steam rising fragrantly. “Lots of stray cats and dogs showed up here recently. They vanished for a while, but now they’re back.”

She offered the baozi. Chen Mo snatched one without hesitation; Little White grabbed the other. The rich scent made Chen Mo’s mouth water.

He was about to take a huge bite when Little Ash’s voice cut in: “Wait!”

“What now?” Chen Mo mentally asked.

“Get out. I’ll eat it myself.”

Chen Mo: “???”

Get out? Where to?

We trust each other now—affection’s at 75! Why kick me out?!